THE MANAGEMENT OF PLANTATIONS. 



37 



hardwoods, shade-bearers and light-demanders, are mixed up in 

 the most indiscriminate manner, as if the planter had mistaken 

 a nurseryman's price-list for a planter's guide. The plants are 

 often put in at too great a distance apart, and as deaths are sure to 

 occur and increase that distance, the cleaning of the stems by 

 suppression of side branches does not begin until the latter are 

 large and strong. In thinning, again, we often see plantations 

 treated as if crown formation or the growth of branches were 

 the chief aim in view, instead of these being necessary evils in 

 the sight of the economic forester. In cutting the timber little 

 regard is paid to maturity, or the culmination of its financial 

 value, upon which it will yield the highest rate of interest upon 

 the initial and other outlays. The determination of this period 

 is a difficult matter, I admit, but there is no reason why planta- 

 tions should not be cut upon principles which are applied to 

 every farm or garden crop, although clear fellings may not be 

 desirable in all situations. 



Such are a few of what may be termed defects in British 

 wood-management of the past. We do not say that all of them 

 have existed in any one plantation, but one or the other has left its 

 mark upon every wood we have seen in this country, exceptions 

 only proving the rule. What is true of the past is also, to a 

 great extent, true of the present, and the various practices have 

 gradually developed into a system, and find many supporters and 

 followers even now. During the last few years, however, doubts 

 have been expressed as to the soundness of our system of growing 

 timber, and sufficient attention was given to the matter in Parlia- 

 ment to secure the appointment of a Select Committee to look 

 into the question. The recommendations made by this Com- 

 mittee received little attention from the then or subsequent 

 Governments, but a move has been made in respect to the 

 teaching of scientific forestry which will doubtless bear fruit in 

 good season. For in at least two centres — Edinburgh and 

 Newcastle-on-Tyne — the principles of scientific forestry (as 

 taught in Germany and elsewhere) are being imparted to 

 practical foresters who may be able to attend the classes, and 

 this in itself is bound to have some effect upon the future 

 management of our woodlands. But we must not lose sight of 

 the fact that Great Britain possesses an individuality of her 

 own, and however successful and advantageous certain methods 



